-

"Sparrowhawk, names" I say impatiently. The pups need names soon. Preferably before they wake up. "Blaze" I Yelp, looking at her kill. I move to stand between the deer and the deer. Too late. He has seen it.

Juniper leaped back in screamed in terror. The dead fawn reminded him of his dead herdmates. He looked away, eyes closed, huffing and puffing. He tried to relax. He knew predators had to eat too. He wasn't going to run. But he couldn't speak, couldn't move, couldn't look at the fawn yet.

This is bad, Pandora thought. "Blaze, he's a friend. Don't attack him." She moved in between Blaze and Juniper. She wondered how the little fennec fox had even managed to carry, let alone catch a fawn.

"Hey, calm down. I'm sorry. I wish you didn't have to see that. We're not going to eat you. Blaze just... didn't know you were here." I say to Juniper, leading him away from the others. He needs some space. "Breathe, alright?" I say, sitting down by the river, and gesturing for him to sit with me. "We're still getting used to the concept of having a deer with us." I spot some bones by the riverbank and quickly sweep them into the rushing river with my tail.

-

I stiffen up. Yes, controlling our instincts will provide a challenge. I go in to the den to check on my pups. They are getting a little hungry. I lay down to feed them while watching the door. Can the deer fit in the cave?

Juniper nodded and joined Selene by the river. He took her advice and breathed deeply, in and out. After a while he said, "Um... you wouldn't mind if I slept away from the rest of you for a while, would you?"

"I totally understand." I say, imagining blaze strangling him in her sleep. "I could find you a spot if you'd like" I say, "I'm sure the other's would understand too." They might wake up and be like "PREY" and "KILL" and then actually kill. It's probably for the best. "The others can be..." I looked for the right word... "...forgetfull, let's say. It's a good idea for you to sleep apart from us for now. Blaze... well... It might take some time for everyone to get used to you" I try not to say anything disturbing. Or mention that Blaze, Ace and Sparrow hawk are capable of disembowling Juniper in their sleep.

"There's a few pups with us too. And a couple of others you haven't met yet. I could intruduce you to them when you feel ready."

Juniper nodded. He wasn't sure he'd be safe alone with them. He thought of asking for a protector of some kind, but didn't want to seem cowardly. Nightingale seemed to like him, but she had to watch her pups. He wasn't sure about the snake.

~+~

"So, that's Ace, Sparrow, Night, Pandora, Blaze, Timber and Alex. And those two rascals are Luna and Hawk." I say. "I wonder if Night and Sparrow named their pups yet" I said out loud. I drink some water and wash away the dried blood in my paws. Bagheera... I sit saddly for a moment, watching the water run on the stone cave floor. "Anyway!" I say to Juniper, "I've got to go tell the other's something. There was another one of us but... she um... passed away. Some of them don't know yet. I need to tell them. Talk later! Make yourself at home :)" I say, and jump over to Luna and Hawk.

"Hello my little trouble makers!" I say, trying to distract myself. I pick them and and go sit by Ace. "I need to tell you something" I whisper.

"Wait, someone died? That's horrible! How--" but the red fox had run off before he could finish. He sighed and took a drink of water. Settling in wouldn't be easy.

Sparrowhawk/M/Collie/German Shepherd/M

He snapped out of his shock at the deer in front of the other deer, and shook himself, feeling bad for the new stag. That wasn't very fun to see, probably. Anyway. He took a breath. "Yes, I got names!" He followed her into the den, and said, "Tanager works for the red, or Macaw. The silver should be Osprey." He didn't know where he had gotten the last name, but it fit so well! He remembered the scene outside. The deer was probably feeling awful, but he felt like he had to go apologize. Although his scarred, strong build wouldn't help in this situation. Especially since he had hunted and eaten so many other deer, elk, moose, and any other animal you could think of. Either way, "Night, I'm gonna go check on the deer. Okay?" He padded out without waiting for the answer, and followed the deer's panicked scent trail easily, confused when he scented Selene, but not too worried.